Better support for 3D spatial data

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 140 views

Installing PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 Extension in the Latest Official PostGIS Docker Image (Debian Bullseye Based)

In this article, we will explore the process of installing the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension in the latest official PostGIS Docker image, which is based on Debian bullseye. The PostGIS SFCGAL extension is a powerful tool for working with 3D geometry and topology in PostGIS, and its latest version (1.4.1 at the time of writing) is a significant improvement over its predecessors.

The PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension is a crucial component of any PostGIS-based spatial database, as it provides a wide range of features and functions for working with 3D geometry and topology. Some of the key benefits of using PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 include:

Improved performance: PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 is optimized for performance, making it ideal for large-scale spatial databases and applications.
Enhanced functionality: The extension provides a wide range of functions and features for working with 3D geometry and topology, including support for 3D spatial relationships and topology.
Better support for 3D spatial data: PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 provides better support for 3D spatial data, including support for 3D points, lines, and polygons.

Before installing the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension, you will need to have the following prerequisites in place:

PostGIS Docker image: You will need to have the latest official PostGIS Docker image installed on your system.
Debian bullseye: The PostGIS Docker image is based on Debian bullseye, so you will need to have this version of Debian installed on your system.
Libsfcgal system library: The PostGIS SFCGAL extension requires the libsfcgal system library, which you will need to install separately.

To install the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension, you will need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Pull the Latest PostGIS Docker Image

First, you will need to pull the latest PostGIS Docker image from the Docker Hub. You can do this by running the following command:

docker pull postgis/postgis:14-3.3

This will download the latest PostGIS Docker image and make it available on your system.

Step 2: Run the PostGIS Docker Container

Once you have pulled the latest PostGIS Docker image, you can run the PostGIS Docker container by running the following command:

docker run -d --name postgis -p 5432:5432 postgis/postgis:14-3.3

This will start a new PostGIS Docker container and make it available on your system.

Step 3: Install the Libsfcgal System Library

Next, you will need to install the libsfcgal system library, which is required by the PostGIS SFCGAL extension. You can do this by running the following command:

docker exec -it postgis apt-get update
docker exec -it postgis apt-get install -y libsfcgal-dev

This will install the libsfcgal system library and its development headers on the PostGIS Docker container.

Step 4: Install the PostGIS SFCGAL Extension

Once you have installed the libsfcgal system library, you can install the PostGIS SFCGAL extension by running the following command:

docker exec -it postgis psql -U postgres -d postgres -c "CREATE EXTENSION IF NOT EXISTS sfcgal;"

This will install the PostGIS SFCGAL extension on the PostGIS Docker container.

Step 5: Verify the PostGIS SFCGAL Extension

Finally, you can verify that the PostGIS SFCGAL extension has been installed correctly by running the following command:

docker exec -it postgis psql -U postgres -d postgres -c "SELECT postgis_full_version();"

This will display the version of PostGIS that is installed on the Docker container, including the version of the PostGIS SFCGAL extension.

In this article, we have explored the process of installing the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension in the latest official PostGIS Docker image, which is based on Debian bullseye. The PostGIS SFCGAL extension is a powerful tool for working with 3D geometry and topology in PostGIS, and its latest version (1.4.1 at the time of writing) is a significant improvement over its predecessors. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can install the PostGIS SFCGAL extension and start working with 3D spatial data in PostGIS.

If you encounter any issues while installing the PostGIS SFCGAL extension, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

Check the Docker logs: You can check the Docker logs to see if there are any errors or warnings that may be related to the installation of the PostGIS SFCGAL extension.
Verify the libsfcgal system library: You can verify that the libsfcgal system library has been installed correctly by running the following command:

docker exec -it postgis dpkg -l | grep libsfcgal

This will display the version of the libsfcgal system library that is installed on the Docker container.

Check the PostGIS SFCGAL extension version: You can check the version of the PostGIS SFCGAL extension that is installed on the Docker container by running the following command:

docker exec -it postgis psql -U postgres -d postgres -c "SELECT sfcgal_version();"

This will display the version of the PostGIS SFCGAL extension that is installed on the Docker container.

If you need additional help or resources to install the PostGIS SFCGAL extension, you can try the following:

PostGIS documentation: You can refer to the PostGIS documentation for more information on installing and using the PostGIS SFCGAL extension.
PostGIS community: You can join the PostGIS community to ask questions and get help from other PostGIS users and developers.
Docker documentation: You can refer to the Docker documentation for more information on using Docker and installing Docker images.
PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 Extension Q&A =====================================

Q: What is the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension?

A: The PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension is a powerful tool for working with 3D geometry and topology in PostGIS. It provides a wide range of features and functions for working with 3D spatial data, including support for 3D points, lines, and polygons.

Q: Why do I need to install the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension?

A: The PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension is required for working with 3D spatial data in PostGIS. It provides a wide range of features and functions for working with 3D geometry and topology, including support for 3D spatial relationships and topology.

Q: How do I install the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension?

A: To install the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension, you will need to follow the steps outlined in the article "Installing PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 Extension in the Latest Official PostGIS Docker Image (Debian Bullseye Based)". This includes pulling the latest PostGIS Docker image, running the PostGIS Docker container, installing the libsfcgal system library, and installing the PostGIS SFCGAL extension.

Q: What are the system requirements for the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension?

A: The PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension requires the following system requirements:

PostGIS Docker image: You will need to have the latest official PostGIS Docker image installed on your system.
Debian bullseye: The PostGIS Docker image is based on Debian bullseye, so you will need to have this version of Debian installed on your system.
Libsfcgal system library: The PostGIS SFCGAL extension requires the libsfcgal system library, which you will need to install separately.

Q: How do I verify that the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension has been installed correctly?

A: To verify that the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension has been installed correctly, you can run the following command:

docker exec -it postgis psql -U postgres -d postgres -c "SELECT postgis_full_version();"

This will display the version of PostGIS that is installed on the Docker container, including the version of the PostGIS SFCGAL extension.

Q: What are some common issues that I may encounter while installing the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension?

A: Some common issues that you may encounter while installing the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension include:

Docker logs: You can check the Docker logs to see if there are any errors or warnings that may be related to the installation of the PostGIS SFCGAL extension.
Libsfcgal system library: You can verify that the libsfcgal system library has been installed correctly by running the following command:

docker exec -it postgis dpkg -l | grep libsfcgal

This will display the version of the libsfcgal system library that is installed on the Docker container.

PostGIS SFCGAL extension version: You can check the version of the PostGIS SFCGAL extension that is installed on the Docker container by running the following command:

docker exec -it postgis psql -U postgres -d postgres -c "SELECT sfcgal_version();"

This will display the version of the PostGIS SFCGAL extension that is installed on the Docker container.

Q: Where can I get additional help or resources for installing the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension?

A: You can get additional help or resources for installing the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension from the following sources:

PostGIS documentation: You can refer to the PostGIS documentation for more information on installing and using the PostGIS SFCGAL extension.
PostGIS community: You can join the PostGIS community to ask questions and get help from other PostGIS users and developers.
Docker documentation: You can refer to the Docker documentation for more information on using Docker and installing Docker images.

Q: Is the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension compatible with other PostGIS extensions?

A: Yes, the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension is compatible with other PostGIS extensions. You can install and use multiple PostGIS extensions simultaneously, including the PostGIS SFCGAL extension.

Q: Can I use the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension with other databases?

A: Yes, you can use the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension with other databases, including PostgreSQL and other spatial databases. However, you will need to ensure that the database supports the PostGIS SFCGAL extension and has the necessary system requirements.

Q: How do I update the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension?

A: To update the PostGIS SFCGAL 1.4 extension, you will need to follow the same steps as installing the extension, including pulling the latest PostGIS Docker image, running the PostGIS Docker container, installing the libsfcgal system library, and installing the PostGIS SFCGAL extension.